There are two basic ways to define a form, by line or by value. Contour line is an excellent way to communicate the volume and details of your subject, and has been our method for drawing three dimensional forms thus far. However, we will begin to explore value and how to effectively communicate with it.
Value indicates the inherent lightness or darkness of forms, it models forms, it gives them a sense of volume, it creates a sense of depth, and shows the effect of light falling on forms. To use value in a drawing, it is necessary to carefully observe all of the nuances, all of the subtle shifts and relationships in value that are present in your subject. Hard contour lines vanish and are replaced with lost and found edges and contrasts between background and subject.
To begin this careful observation and depiction of values and their relationships, we will be constructing a value scale, also known as a gray scale. A value scale is a panel of swatches that begin with the white of the paper and progress through shades of gray to black at the end. Emphasis will be placed on subtle, yet distinct shifts in value as your scale progresses.
